Efficacy of deterrents in minimizing nontarget species consumption of bait used for attracting wild pigs (Sus scrofa).

BACKGROUND: Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are an invasive species that cause environmental and agricultural damage. Trapping is a common management tool, but baits often attract nontarget species, reducing bait availability and trap effectiveness. Using remote cameras, we compared untreated corn with corn treated with egg-garlic repellent (EGR), blood meal, synthetic capsaicin and natural capsaicin to evaluate whether deterrents could reduce nontarget bait consumption while maintaining wild pig visits.

RESULTS: Generalized linear mixed models revealed white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) consumed corn less frequently at all treatments except low concentration synthetic capsaicin and spent less time consuming moderate-concentration EGR bait. Wild pig and raccoon (Procyon lotor) bait consumption frequency did not differ among treatments, although wild pigs spent more time consuming blood meal bait and less time consuming high concentration synthetic capsaicin than untreated corn.

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that white-tailed deer visitations can be reduced at bait sites treated with deterrents without significantly reducing wild pig visitations, but none consistently reduced raccoon or wild turkey consumption. Thus, deterrents can improve wild pig baiting effectiveness by deterring some nontarget species to minimize bait loss and improve trapping efficiency for wild pig management. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.